Obama says policies have created jobs, but hiring will be slow in recovery

Obama: Hiring will be among last things to improve

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says economic steps by his administration have saved jobs and created new ones. But he says new hiring is among the last things to improve during an economic recovery.

The president said the economic stimulus has delivered billions of dollars in tax releif to families and small business and has extended unemployment benefits and health insurance to jobless Americans.

Obama made his remarks as he opened a prime-time news conference expected to be heavily devoted to health care.

He said the $787 billion economic stimulus will continue to create jobs over the next two years.